Reversing mechanism



March 19, 1935.

H. A. PECK REVERSING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept'. 30, 19.32

'March 19, 1935.y H. AfPEcK l1,995,220

REVERSING MECHANISM Filed Sept.4 so, 1932 4 sheets-sheet 2 March 19,1935. H, A. PECK- REVERSING MEcHANIsM v March 19, 1935.

H. A. PECK REVERS ING- MECHANISM 4 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 30, 1932Patented Mar. 19, 1935 REYERSING MECHANISM Herbert Allen Peck, Glenside,Pa., assignor to American Engineering Company, Philadelphia, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Application September 30, 1932, Serial No.635,651

12 claims.

This invention relates to hydraulic drive mechanisms, and a principalobject of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the statedcharacter in the form of a compact and highly efiicient unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the statedcharacter incorporating means for automatically and periodicallyreversing the direction o'f drive. the mechanism-by reason of thisdevice and also of its compact form being Well adapted for driving thecylinders of washing and like machines.

The invention further resides in certain novel structural details andmechanical features hereinafter set forth and illustrated in theattached drawings, in which: v

Figure 1 is a side elevational and partial sectional view illustrating adrive unit made in accordance with my invention:

Fig'. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary and partial sectional view illustrating certaindetails of the mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 5, Fig. 4, and

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are views in perspectiveof elements of the mechanism.

With reference to the drawings, the drive mechanism forming the subjectof my invention takes the form of a compact unit comprising a base 1,upon one end of which is mounted an electricmotor 2 which is directlyconnected to a hydraulic mechanism 3 mounted upon the other end of thebase 1 and incorporating a pump unit 4 and a motor unit 5. The pump unit4 as shown in Fig. 1 is directly coupled to the shaft 6 of the electricmotor 2. This pump preferably is o'f the positive displacement variableand reversible stroke type illustrated, for example, in United StatesPatent No. 1,077,979, and the transmission unit as a whole including thepump 4 and motor 5 may be' of the general character illustrated inUnited States Patent No. 1,152,729.

The pump 4 comprises in the present instance' a rotary cylinder block 7,

which element is. coupled to the shaft 6 and a ring 8 which sur! roundsthe cylinder body and constitutes a sup-` purposes the ring 8 is mountedin guide blocks 11, `11, which blocks are slidably mounted in the pumphousing and are adjustable through the mediumof rods 12, which in thepresent instance project upwardly through the said housing into 5 acasing 13 mounted on the housing. The casing v13 houses a verticallymovable cross head 14, to

'hand wheel 26 at the top of the casing. Rotation of the stem 25 throughthe medium of the hand wheel 26 causes a convergent or divergentmovement of the nuts 21 and 22, which as shown in Fig. 4 are located atopposite sides of and in the path of the cross head 14 in its movementwith the pistons 15 and 16.

From the outer ends of the cylinders 17 and 18 ducts 27 and 28respectively extend through the casing 13 to a valve chamber 29. Thechamber 29 also communicates through a spring-regulated exhaust valve 31with a pipe 32 which extends downwardly to the hollow interior of thecasing 1, this casing constituting a reservoir for a liquid medium, ashereinafter set forth. Also communicating with the chamber 29 is a pipe33, this pipe extending, as shown in Fig. 2, to the discharge side of agear pump 34 mounted at the outer end of the motor 2 and operativelyconnected with the latter. The intake side of the pump 34 is connectedthrough a pipe 35 with the reservoir chamber within the base 1.Connecting the pipe 33 with the said reservoir is a bypass 36 containinga'pressure relief valve 37, theinterior of which is shown in Fig. 5. Astherein illustrated, the bypass channel 36 is normally closed by a ballValve 38 which is held to its seat by a calibrated spring 39. Fluidpressure in the upper portion of the channel 36 exceeding apredetermined maximum as controlled by the spring 39 forces the Valve 38from its seat, permitting flow of fluid through the said bypass 36 fromthe pipe 33 to the reservoir in the base l.

' Within the chamber 29 is positioned a vvalve 41. this valve beingformed upona-stem 42, see Fig. 8. The stem 42 is'journaled in` thecasing 13. the ends of the stem projecting beyond the casing. as shownin Figs. l and 2. One projecting end of the stem is provided with arectangular portion 43 for reception of a wrench, and the other end ofthe stem is connected through a coupling 44 with oneend of a shaft 45,the other end of this shaft being journaled in a casing 46 mounted onthe end of the housing of the fiuid motor 5. That end of the shaft 45which projects into the interior of the casing 46 has loosely mountedthereon a worm wheel 47, and has secured to its extremity a member 48,.the said wheel 47 and the member 48 being shown respectively in Figs. 6and 7. The member 48 has projecting from its inner face a segmental lug49 which abuts the adjoining face of the worm wheel 47; said adjoiningface of the worm wheel being provided with a circumferential series oftapped openings 51 for reception of screws 52 by means of which lugs53,-and 54 may be secured to the face of the wheel." It will be apparentthat the position of the lugs 53 and 54 will determine the amount offree motion between the member 48 and the wheel 47, and that the amountof said free motion may be varied between zero and a predeterlmined.maximum by adjustment of the lugs 53 and 54.

The worm wheel 47 meshes with a worm 55 on a vertical shaft 56 journaledin the casing 46. Adjacent its lowerend, this shaft 56 carries a wormwheel 57 which meshes with a worm 58 on a shaft 59 journaied in thehousing of me fluid motor 5. This shaft 59 isr operatively connectedwith the motor 5 and constitutes the driven shaft of the power unit.

The reservoir within the base l constitutes the makeup tank for thefluid 'system including the pump 4 and the motor 5, and is operativelyassociated with said uid pumpand motor in the usual manner. When themotor 2 is energized, it will be apparent that the pump 4 is actuated todrive the iluid motor-5, which in turn drives the driven shaft 59. Therate and direction of discharge of fluid from the pump 4 to the motor 5is controlled as previously set forth through the medium of, the guideblock 11the cross head 14 and the pistons 15 and 16. The pistons 15 and16 in turn are controlled and actuated by fluid pressure generated bythe gear pump 34. In alternative positions of the valve 4l, this fluidpressure from the pump 34 is applied to the ducts 27 and 28respectively, the other duct of the couple being connected with theexhaust or discharge pipe 32. Assuming, for example, that the mechanismis in operation with the valve 4l adjusted as shown in Fig. 4, it willbe apparent that fluid pressure applied through the pipe 33 will bedirected to the outer end of the c'ylinder 17 and will tend to force thepistons 15 and 16 downwardly. This movement of fthe pistons is permittedby reason of the-connection of the cylinder 18 with the exhaust pipe 32.Downward movement or the pistons 15 and 16 will carry the cross head 14downwardly to the point where it is arrested by the stop 21.- Thisdownward movement of the cross head 14 also adjusts the guide block 11to cause a discharge from the pump unit 4 to the motor 5 at agiven rateand in a given direction, resulting in a predetermined actuation of themotor and rotation at a predetermined rate of speed and in apredetermined direction of the driven shaft 59. This; operationcontinues until such time as the shaft 59 has made suilicient rc tolutions to bring one or other of the lugs 53 and 54 on the worm wheel47 into engagement with the lug 49 on the member 48.

Continued rotation in the same direction of the shaft 59 results in arotation through the member 48 of the shaft 45 and of the valve stem 42,which shifts the valve 41 to the alternative position' wherein the duct33 is connected with i the duct 27, while the duct 28 is connected withthe discharge duct 32. This reversal of the valve 4l effects a reversemovement of the pistons l5 and 16 and a consequent readjustment of theguide block 1l into a position reversing the direction of discharge ofthe fluid pump 4, thereby also reversing the direction of rotation ofthe fluid 'motor 5 and of the shaft 59 actuated thereby.

By adjusting the stops 21 and 22, the rate of discharge of the pump ineither of its alternative adjusted positions may be regulated asrequired, this rate of discharge determining the rate of rotation of thedriven shaft 59. Regulation of the extent of the rotary movement of theshaft 59 between reversals is effected through adjustment of the lugs 53and 54 on the worm wheel 47. Movement of the shaft 59 may be interruptedwithout interruption in the operation of the electric motor 2 byadjusting the stops 21 and 22 through the medium of the hand wheel 26 totheir most proximate position engaging opposite sides of the cross head14 whereby said cross head is adjusted to and held in an intermediateposition corresponding to the neutral position of the guide block l1. Inthis neutral position, the ring 8 is held concentric with the cylinderbody 7, so that although the pump elements are still actuated by theelectric motor`2, the pump discharge is reduced to zero. Operation ofthe fluid motor .5 is thus interrupted. When the pistons 16 and 17occupy either of the normal operative positions, the pressure developingin the pipes due to the continued operation of the gear pump 34 isrelieved through the relief valve 37 and the, bypass 36.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the device constitutes ahighly desirable power unit well adapted by reason of its compactness ofform, flexibility an'd fool-proof operation and simplicity of controlfor actuation of reversible rotary cylinder washing machines and thelike. The mechanism, however, is not restricted to such use, and affordsa highly desirable form of power unit for use where automatic reversalof driven parts is required.

A further desirable feature of the mechanism resides in the fact thatthe characteristics of the iiuid motor 5 are such that the reversingoperations are effected smoothly and without vibration or undue wearupon any of the actuating parts.

There may be modification in detail arrangement without departure fromthe essential features of the invention.

I claim:

1. A power drive device for reversing mechanisms comprising an electricmotor, a reversible discharge fluid pump connected with said motor,reversing gear for the pump, a continuously-operating fluid motoroperatively connected with the pump, and including a shaft directly andcontinuously driven `by the fluid motor, said shaft adapted forconnection to mechanism to be driven by said power drive device, andmeans for directly connecting said shaft with the reversing gear of saidpump for automatic periodic actuation of said gear independently of themechanism connected to and driven by said shaft, said power drive deviceincluding the automatic reversing means constituting a completelyoperative selfcontained and self-reversible drive unit opermechanismconnected to and driven by said shaft, k

and an automatic control for said actuating means directly operated bythe shaft ofthe fluid motor and comprising means for regulating thefrequency of Asaid reversals for anyA motor speed,

said power drive device including the said automatic reversing meansconstituting a completely operative self-contained and self-reversibledrive unit operating independently of the driven mechanism to which itmay be connected.

3. A power drive device vfor reversing mechanisms comprising an electricmotor, a reversible discharge fluid pump connected with said motor, acontinuously-operating fluid motor connected with the pump and includinga shaft directly and continuously driven by the fluid motor, said shaftadapted-for connection to mechanism to be driven by said power drivedevice, means for regulating the rate of discharge of said pump tothereby control the speed of operation of said fluid motor and shaft,reversing mechanism for said pump, actuating means for said reversingmechanism operated independently of the mechanism connected to anddriven by said shaft, and an automatic control for said actuating meansdirectly operated by the shaft of the fluid motor and comprising meansfor regulating the frequency of said reversals for any motor speed, saidpower drive device including the automatic reversing means constitutinga completely operative self -contained and self-reversible drive unitoperating independently of the driven mechanism to which it may beconnected.

4. A power drive device for reversing mechanisms comprising an electricmotor, a reversible discharge fiuid pump connected with said motor, acontinuously-operating fluid motor operatively connected with the pumpand including a shaft directly and continuously driven by the fluidmotor, said shaft adapted for connection to mecha'nism to be driven bysaid power drive device, fluid-actuated reversing mechanism for saidpump operated independently of the-mechanism connected to and driven bysaid-shaft and including an independent source of fluid pressureactuated by said electric motor, a valve for controlling the actuationof said reversing mechanism, and means for directly connecting saidvalve with the shaft of the uid motor whereby a predetermined movementof said motor and shaft in either direction effects a reversal of thedischarge of said fluid pump, said last-named direct connectionincluding an adjustable lost motion device for regulating the frequencyof said reversals, the power drive nected with the pump and including ashaft directly and continuously driven by the fiuid motor, said shaftadapted for connection to mechanism to be driven by said power unit,fluid-actuated reversing mechanism for said pump operated yindependentlyof the mechanism connected to and driven by said shaft, a valve forcontrolling the operation of said reversing mechanism, and means foractuating said valve direct from the shaft and in timed relation withthe operation of the fluid motor, said valve-operating means beingadjustable to vary the 'frequency of said reversals, the power driveincluding the said valve and its actuating means constituting acompletely operative self-contained and self-reversible drive unitoperating independently of the driven mechanism to which it may beconnected.

6. A power unit for reversing mechanisms cornprising an electric motor,-a reversible discharge fluid pump connected with said motor, a rotaryfluid motor operatively connected with the pump, a rotary shaft operatedbysaid fluid. motor, fluidactuated mechanism for reversing said pump, avalve controlling the operation of said reversing mechanism, a wormshaftoperatively connected with said motor-driven shaft, a second shaftoperatively connected with the valve, a worm wheel loosely mounted onsaid second shaft and meshing'with said worm, a member fixed to saidsecond shaft, said member and worm having interlocking lugs establishinga driving connection between the said shafts, and means for relativelyadjusting said lugs to vary the amount of or to eliminate the lostmotion between said lug-carrying member and the worm wheel to therebyvary the extent of movement of said motor-driven shaft betweenreversals.

7. In a power unit, the combination with a source of rotary power, areversible discharge fluid pump connected therewith, and a fluid motoroperatively connected with said pump, of a reversing mechanism for saidpump comprising avalve member, a shaft extending from said valve andarranged to actuate the same, a second shaft driven directly by thefluid motor, and means operatively connecting the first and secondshafts whereby a predetermined movement of said motor in eitherdirection actuates said valve to effect a reversal of the discharge ofsaid fluid pump.

8. In a power unit, the combination with a,

source of rotary power, a reversible discharge fluid pump connectedtherewith, and a fiuid motor operatively connectedwith said pump, of areversing mechanism for said pump comprising a valve member, a shaftextending from said valve and arranged to actuate the same, a secondshaft driven directly by the fiuid motor, and means operativelyconnecting the first and second shafts whereby a predetermined movementof said motor in either direction actuates said valve to effect areversal of the discharge ofl said fluid pump, said last named operativeconnection comprising an adjustable lost motion device for regulatingthe frequency of said reversals.

9. In a power unit for reversing mechanism, the

combination with an electric motor, a reversible discharge fluid pumpdriven thereby, and al fluid motor operatively connected with the pump,of a fluid actuated reversing mechanism for said pump including a pairof pistons and an inedependent source of fluid pressure actuated by saidelectric motor, a valve operable to effect passage of said fluidpressure against one or the other of said pistons and actuate the latterin alternately opposite directions to reverse said pump, and

means operatively connecting said valve with the fluid motor whereby apredetermined movement of said motor in either direction actuates thevalve to effect a reversal of the discharge of said fluid pump.

10. In a power unit for reversing mechanism,

` the combination With an electric motor, a reversible discharge fluidpump driven thereby, and a vfluid motor operatively connected with the10y pump, of a fluid actuated reversing mechanism for said pumpincluding a pair of -pistons, and an independent source of fluidpressure actuated by said electric motor, a valve operable to effectpassage .of said fluid pressure against one or the other of said pistonsand actuate the latter in alternately opposlte directions to reversesaid pump, and means operatively connecting said valve with the fluidmotor whereby a predetermined movement of said motor in either directionactuates the valve to effect a reversal of the discharge o f said fluidpump, said last named operative connection comprising an adjustable lostmotion device for regulating the frequency of said intervals.

11.. In a power unit for reversing mechanism, the combination with anelectric motor, a reversible discharge fluid pump driven thereby, and afluid motor operatively connected with the pump, of a fluid actuatedreversing mechanism for said pump including a pair of pistons and anindependent source of fluid pressure actuated by said `electric motor, avalve operable to effect passage of said fluid pressure against one orthe other of said pistons and actuate the latter in alternately oppositedirections to reverse said pump, a shaft extending from the valve andarranged to actuate the latter, a second shaft driven directly by thefluid motor, and means operatively connecting the first and secondshafts whereby a predetermined movement of said motor in eitherdirection actuates the valve to effect a reversal of the discharge ofsaid fluid pump.

12. In a power unit for reversing mechanism, the combination with anelectric motor, a reversi- `ble discharge fluid ,pump driven thereby,and a fluid motor operatively connected with the pump, of a fluidactuated reversing mechanism for said pump including a pair of pistons,and an independent source of fluid pressure actuated by said electricmotor, a valve operable to effect passage of said fluid pressure againstone or the other of said pistons and actuate the latter in alternatelyoppositey directions to reverse said pump, a shaft extending from thevalve and arranged to actuate the latter, a second shaft driven directlyby the fluid motor, and means operatively connecting the .first andsecond shafts whereby a predetermined movement of said motordn eitherdirection actuates the valve to effect a reversal of the discharge ofsaid fluid pump, said last named operative connection comprising anadjustable lost motion device for regulating the frequency of saidreversals.

HERBERT ALLEN PECK.

